VALDOSTA, Ga. – The top-ranked Valdosta State men's tennis team won its 20
th-straight match with a 6-1 win over No. 5 Barry Saturday morning at the VSU Tennis Complex.
The Blazers improved to 4-0 on the year with the victory, while Barry fell to 5-2. VSU opened the match with two of three wins at doubles to claim the team point. No. 6-ranked duo of seniors
Xaveam Van Wijk and
Takeshi Taco won 6-1 at the top spot over Leo Caill and Yan Kodjoed, while junior
Jan Skerbatis and senior
Boruch Skierkier won 6-3 at No. 3 over Simone Cavalleri and Riccard Trione to claim the point. Barry's tandem of Tim Riedel and Gabrielle Felline won 6-4 over senior
Edgar Destouet and graduate Arthur Board.
Barry tied the match at 1-1 with a 7-5, 6-1 win for Reidel at No. 4 singles over No. 24-ranked
Jerome Iaconi, but the Blazers quickly responded at Taco, ranked No. 1 nationally, defeated Trione 6-4, 6-4 at the top spot and freshman
Julien Doitteau continued his strong play this season with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 win at No. 6 over Caill for a 3-1 score. Skerbatis clinched the match with a 7-6, 7-5 win at No. 5 singles over Thomas Machado. Skierkier, ranked No. 3 nationally, won 7-5, 6-4 at No. 2 singles over Felline and Destouet upset No. 25 Kojoed 6-2, 6-7, 6-3 for the 6-1 win.
The Blazers return to action on Monday at 10 a.m. versus top-ranked in NAIA foe Georgia Gwinnett at the VSU Tennis Complex.